Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Executive might be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime submit, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick out the new chief. Lee only needed a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed beneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance shall be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals."

His reply was that his election was "run in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong."

"Anybody, who in keeping with the legislation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be town's subsequent chief government.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a observe final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety rather than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business middle to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to answer a significant shock."

In step with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've got challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He stated he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that will probably be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on residents to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the town will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In line with government statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the support needed for the assumption of office by the brand new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to reflect that John Lee gained 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief govt election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that figure.